L&L Publishing’s critically-acclaimed DVD series The World’s Greatest Magic by the World’s Greatest Magicians has been called the most comprehensive magic reference work ever committed to video. Never before has the work of so many legendary magicians – some sadly no longer with us – been compiled in one place and on such a wide diversity of subjects.

This amazing library, now consisting of some 86 volumes, features renowned performers such as Dai Vernon, Johnny Thompson, Tommy Wonder, Alex Elmsley, Juan Tamariz, Larry Jennings, and many, many others performing and teaching magic’s timeless effects. Cards, coins, close-up, stage magic, cups and balls, silk magic – whatever your specialty or interest – you’ll find volumes of The World’s Greatest Magic series that will provide the very best in magic instruction on that specific topic.

Because of their popularity, many of The World’s Greatest Magic volumes are frequently out of print but now, for the first time, you can own the entire set – that’s all 86 volumes, a 1715.70 value – for just $999.00 A Incredible savings of $716.70 They’re all in stock right now (for the first time in quite a while!) and ready to become your post-graduate course in the best magic ever created – and at this unprecedented special price! No other discounts to apply to this offer.

The invention of the classic trick where the four Aces are deal face down, three indifferent cards are dealt onto each, yet the Aces mysteriously gather into one of the packets, is usually attributed to the French magician Conus. However, ever since its original publication in 1853, magicians are still coming up with amazing variations of this timeless effect and enchanting audiences with them to this day.

VOLUME 1

On this DVD, you’ll meet six magicians who each have their own singular take on the Ace Assembly plot. First up is Bill Malone with an amazing and quite visual version that has a method that will make you smile. Then, Bruce Cervon ups the ante by using Aces with opposite-colored backs while Alex Elmsley causes the Aces to not only assemble but to do so in a spectator’s hand! Dan Harlan is next with a variation that also uses odd-backed Aces in an unbelievably fair sequence that looks like real magic while Simon Aronson provides a graphic demonstration of why you never let anyone touch your Poker hand. Finally, James Swain closes out this volume with a version where a spectator actually chooses the packet into which the Aces assemble.

On this DVD, you’ll meet five magicians who each have their own singular take on the Ace Assembly plot. First up is Bill Malone with an Ace assembly that is so clean that it does, indeed, almost look like trick cards are in use. Next, Steve Draun adds an amazingly visual ending to Marlo’s Bluff assembly while Trevor Lewis switches the Aces’ final destination at the last moment for a surprising finish to a fairly easy-to-do routine. John Guastaferro is next with a version where the Aces not only assemble but actually do so in the card case while Martin Nash’s Aces do the same under a spectator’s hand. Finally, Bill Malone returns with a technically-challenging but eye-popping routine where the Aces suddenly – and visibly – appear in the leader packet.

On this DVD, you’ll meet six magicians who each have their own singular take on the Ace Assembly plot. First up is Bill Malone with a squeaky-clean assembly that’s surprisingly easy to do. Darwin Ortiz is next with an update version of his classic routine where the Aces vanish and reassemble under increasingly impossible conditions. Petrick (of Petrick and Mia fame) is up next with an elegant Ace assembly with many visual flairs while Paul Wilson follows with an assembly routine that could only be described as instantaneous. Not to be outdone, David Regal is next with an Ace assembly that’s even faster while Harry Lorayne finishes the volume with a revved-up version of a Peter Kane classic.

For the last 25 years, Bill has made his living performing magic and along the way, he’s made numerous appearances on national television (including NBC’s “World’s Greatest Magic” and “Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous”) in addition to performing for high profile clients that, if listed, would read like a “Who’s Who” of corporate America.

In the “On The Loose” series, you’ll see why Bill is one of the most entertaining and successful magicians of our time-and you’ll learn some powerful, commercial magic at the same time. Besides tricks, you’ll be privy to inside information from a guy who really knows the business side of magic-tips that will help to bring your own performances to life and make your business as an entertainer more successful.

With Bill Malone, it’s all about presentation, style and timing, so sit back and enjoy your front row seats for one of the funniest magicians on the planet. You’re entering the Malone Zone-and Bill is on the loose!

If you have not seen Tommy Wonder, you are in for a treat-an experience like you’ve never had before. Even if you have seen Tommy Wonder, you are in for a treat. You will see new items never before taught, you will see the incredible routines you have only read about, and you will see and learn how to make audiences believe they have seen real magic.

In addition, on all three volumes, Max Maven will guide you through some fascinating discussions with Tommy Wonder where you will get an insight into the psychology, thinking, and creative process that have made Tommy Wonder a living legend in magic.

These videos are unlike any other project L&L has created. Not only is Tommy Wonder’s magic unbelieveably brilliant, but the editing and candid behind-the-scenes footage take these videos to an entirely new level. That’s a promise!

Only $19.95 each

The Card Through Handkerchief

The Card Through Handkerchief is one of card magic’s most popular plots mostly because of the very strong effect that’s created by relatively simple means. A card is chosen and returned to the deck. The deck is then wrapped in a handkerchief which is then shaken. Then, one card – the selected card, of course – slowly and magically seems to penetrate straight through the folds of the hank. Harry Blackstone Jr. said of this effect, “The Card Through the Handkerchief is one of the classics of card magic. Performed correctly, it is as strong an effect as you could wish for.”

The Card Through Handkerchief was a pet effect of Houdini and also Nate Leipzig, and for good reason. It uses ordinary properties to achieve an extraordinary – and very magical – effect, and with the instruction you’ll receive from the five world-class performers featured here, you’ll find that it will almost certainly be one of your pet effects in almost no time at all.

Thread Magic

“Those effects in which an inanimate object moves without any visible cause are perhaps the most mysterious and effective in all magic. Such a trick more than any other seems like real magic, especially when it is accomplished…at close range directly under the noses of the spectators.” And, with these words, which introduced a key chapter in his classic book, Pet Secrets, Al Baker began an entirely new sub-genre of magic.

The road to the successful use of thread in a magic performance – that is, accomplishing the illusion of animation or even levitation – is fraught with pitfalls. In most effects of this kind, whether it’s a dollar bill floating in the air or David Copperfield flying across a stage, the best guess as to how it’s done by any modern audience is likely to be pretty close to the actual method. As the great Carl Ballantine was fond of saying, “How else…?” However, with the guidance of the fine magicians on this DVD, you’ll be well on your way to adding these amazing demonstrations to your own repertoire of miracles – and performing them the correct way!

Torn & Restored Card

The idea of tearing up and then restoring a playing card is a very old one, dating back to at least the late 1790s. In subsequent years, many methods, including mechanical ones, have been devised by magicians because it’s an effect that still amazes audiences.

The apparent destruction of a playing card is very compelling to audiences as they know that not only is the card destroyed but that the deck is ruined also. As a result, the card’s restoration never fails to get a good reaction from spectators and with the variety of methods you’ll find on this DVD, you’ll be able to add this timeless classic to your repertoire with ease.

Only $19.95 per DVD

Magic with playing cards has always held a deep fascination for performers and audiences alike, most likely due to the almost infinite variety of effects that are possible with them. Everything from sleight of hand to topological tricks are all potentially a part of the magician’s arsenal and somewhere in this broad spectrum are card effects that almost work by themselves.

On these DVDs, you’ll see a number of powerful card tricks that rely not on knuckle-busting manipulation but rather, on mathematical principles, stacks, and subtleties, aided in some cases by very minimal, basic sleight of hand.

While there’s really no such thing as a self-working card trick – you still need to learn the procedures and rehearse an interesting presentation – it remains that a simple trick without the use of sleight of hand can be a deadly weapon when slipped into a card magic set. These kinds of effects can add texture to a magic performance and with the tricks you’ll learn on these DVDs, even if sleight-of-hand really isn’t your thing, you’ll always be ready to amaze and amuse when someone slides a deck of cards over to you and says, “Show me something…”

Al Schneider Volume 1 Project Codeword: Heavy Metal Series CONFIDENTIAL – For Your Eyes Only This DVD contains a collection of classic coin effects that Al Schneider has been working on for the last 50 years. The experiments presented are an attempt to move these classic 20th century effects into the 21st century. Fifty years of Al’s magic experience has been focused on making these effects more streamlined and more magically powerful with the spotlight on coin routines that depend on gimmicked and extra coins.

Al Schneider – Volume 2 Project Codeword: Natural Elements Series CONFIDENTIAL – For Your Eyes Only Research in this DVD is dedicated to locating routines that do not use gimmicks. In general, one can carry some simple props or even borrow something from someone to accomplish miracles. Though the props are simple, the experiments presented here are about high complex and advanced logic. There is some new stuff, some old stuff, and some new twists on old stuff – but it’s all natural!

Al Schneider – Volume 3 Project Codeword: Rare Earth Series CONFIDENTIAL – For Your Eyes Only In this set of experiments, we are looking for odd and novel methods and effects. The goal is to locate more effects that are cerebral. We want things that twist the mind. Who would think of a broken and restored potato chip? (The method is weirder than the effect…!)

As one goes through the literature of magic, the name of Dr. Jacob Daley crops up quite frequently, particularly in reference to card magic. Dr. Daley was a New York plastic surgeon but also an avid amateur magician who was skillful enough to keep company with many sleight-of-hand legends of the era, including Dai Vernon, Charlie Miller, Al Baker, and many others. Also a brilliant innovator, Dr. Daley’s original tricks appeared in Stars of Magic, Annemann’s Practical Mental Effects, and many conjuring periodicals. One of the tricks he was working on before his sudden and tragic passing in 1954 at the age of 56 was a transposition of the red Aces with the black ones. He had demonstrated this idea for Dai Vernon who then immortalized it after Daley’s passing in The Dai Vernon Book of Magic as The Last Trick of Dr. Jacob Daley.

The card trick popularly known as Chicago Opener had its origins in an effect invented by Al Leech that was originally called Hot Card Trick No. 1 and then later rechristened Red Hot Mama. The trick became immensely popular and many working performers immediately added it to their repertoires, notably Frank Everhart and Jim Ryan, who each sometimes get credit for its invention (Everhart’s version was published in a Frank Garcia Book as Chicago Opener and Ryan’s as Red Hot Mama in a book on Ryan’s magic by Phil Wilmarth.)

Despite its muddled origins, it remains one of card magic’s rare effects – an astounding miracle that is relatively easy to perform. What the audience sees is that the magician causes a freely-selected card to change its back color (say from blue to red), which is then tabled. The performer then claims to be able to repeat the effect and a second card is selected. This second attempt fails – no second red card is found – but the performer makes good by turning over the first red card and showing that it has now magically changed into the second selection.

Handkerchiefs have been a part of the magician’s arsenal at least since the 1500s but it wasn’t until the mid-1800s that handkerchiefs made of silk made their appearance as magical apparatus. The first recorded use of silk handkerchiefs in the literature of magic was by none other than Robert-Houdin for a vanishing handkerchief routine (which also coincided with his invention of the first pull.) The first full routine using silks was performed by de Kolta and written up in Professor Hoffman’s Later Magic in 1903. At that point, tricks and routines using silks became a very common part of conjurors’ acts.